We’re a Ramblers group aimed mainly at people in their 20s, 30s and slightly older, offering led walks and social events across Herts, Beds and south Cambs.
Alastair M
This walk is for up to 30 people, including the leader.
This Taproom Trek walk explores the countryside between St Albans and Welwyn Garden City, passing through woodlands, farmland and parkland and stopping off at the Three Brewers taproom.
We begin in Heartwood Forest, 860 acres of mostly former farmland which has been planted as new forest. We walk east through Sandridge village, following the Hertfordshire Way along the edge of Heartwood Forest, then along the north edge of Symondshyde Great Wood.
We then descend into the upper Lea valley, enjoying some fine views, before entering Brocket Park. Brocket Park is the landscaped grounds of Brocket Hall, an 18th century neoclassical mansion. The grounds are now used for golf. Here among the beech trees near the river we will stop for our packed lunch.
After lunch we walk southeast, above the north bank of the river, passing behind Brocket Hall before crossing the river on an ornate stone bridge. We then begin a gentle climb out of the valley, crossing parkland and farmland before reaching Symondshyde Farm on the east side of Symondshyde Great Wood.
The farm is primarily an equine farm with paddocks and stables, but one of the barns serves as both small batch brewery and taproom to local brewing company the Three Brewers. We will pause here to enjoy a local beer, guest cider or soft drink. We then cross the wood before crossing Woodcock Hill and enjoying some nice views.
For the final leg of the walk, we cross the Jersey Farm estate on the edge of St Albans, turning north onto Jersey Lane, a decommissioned country lane reclassified as a pedestrian and cycle route linking St Albans and Sandridge. We follow this back to Sandridge, walking through the village to the start point. Those who wish can enjoy a post walk drink at one of the three pubs in the village.
Dogs are welcome on a lead.
For information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.
Booking your place: Please book your place using the free Meetup website/app. Join the Stag Walkers Meetup group and click the 'Attend' button on the event page.
Please do not turn up for a walk without booking, as places are limited.
If the walk is fully booked, click 'join waitlist' to get a place if one becomes available and please check back regularly as you will likely get a place. The waitlist gives priority to single bookings so if you wish to bring a guest, we recommend booking separately.
Unless you opt in to further communications, we will only use contact information you provide to get in touch about the walk.
This is a circular walk.
The start time is when we aim to start walking and the finish time is an estimate.
Walks are graded Easy, Leisurely, Moderate or Strenuous in increasing order of difficulty. Please read the walk description to check it is within your abilities and contact the group if you are unsure.
Please:
We are a Ramblers group, non-members are welcome to try us out for three free walks before joining Ramblers as a full member.
As a charity we ask that non-members consider making a voluntary donation to Ramblers until they purchase membership. We suggest £3-4 per walk. You can donate in person or online.
The Ramblers’ Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Company registration number: 4458492. Registered Charity in England and Wales number: 1093577. Registered office: First Floor, 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1BE.
Heartwood Forest Car Park, High Street, Sandridge, AL4 9DG. Free parking all day. Meet near the bridleway at the southern end of the car park. Accessible by bus to Sandridge from Hitchin (Centrebus 304) and St Albans (Red Rose 357).
